Chatham Lake Dam
Chatham Lake Dam is an earth dam located in Jackson Parish, Louisiana, built in 1940. It carries a Significant hazard potential classification and has a fair condition assessment.
About Chatham Lake Dam
The primary purpose of Chatham Lake Dam is recreation. The dam creates a reservoir used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The dam is owned by Jackson Parish Watershed Commission (local government). It impounds the Edwards Branch To Castor Creek near Chatham.
The dam stands 19 feet tall and stretches 1,780 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 175 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,975 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 19 square miles. Completed in 1940, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam has a significant hazard potential classification, meaning that a failure could cause significant economic damage — flooding roads, bridges, or property downstream — but is not expected to result in loss of life. Its condition is rated fair — the dam has minor deficiencies that are being addressed or do not pose an immediate safety threat. An emergency action plan is in place for this dam. The most recent inspection on record was 08/08/2024.
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Location
| State | Louisiana |
| County | Jackson |
| Nearest City | Chatham |
| River/Stream | Edwards Branch To Castor Creek |
| Coordinates | 32.31250, -92.44548 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Earth |
| NID Height | 19 ft |
| Dam Height | 17 ft |
| Dam Length | 1,780 ft |
| Year Completed | 1940 (86 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,975 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,975 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 2,450 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 175 acres |
| Drainage Area | 19 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 2,900 cfs |
| Spillway Type | Uncontrolled |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Jackson Parish Watershed Commission |
| Owner Type | Local Government |
| Hazard Classification | Significant |
| Condition Assessment | Fair |
| Last Inspection | 08/08/2024 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Yes |
Identifiers
| NID ID | LA00008 |
| Federal ID | LA00008 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |